Sky Island
The latest Sky Island coverage — news, analysis, and updates from the WindowsNews.AI desk.
Palworld’s Early Access Ends July 10: Your Saves Are Safe, and a Sky Island Awaits
Palworld exits Early Access on July 10, 2025, with version 1.0, introducing a Sky Island endgame region, rebuilt progression, and full save file continuity—no wipes. The article breaks down what’s new, how to prepare your saves and servers, and the journey from record-breaking launch to full release, with practical advice for players, server hosts, and modders.
ReactOS Kernels Up: Open-Source Windows Clone Swallows Its First NT6 System Call
ReactOS has integrated its first NT6-era system call, NtGetCurrentProcessorNumberEx, marking a move beyond the Windows Server 2003 kernel compatibility it had focused on for years. The call enables better multiprocessor handling and lays the groundwork for supporting driver and application interfaces from Windows Vista and later.
Ubuntu on Dell Latitude 5400: GRUB Fix Gets It Running, but Risks Remain
A community report shows that installing Ubuntu on a Dell Latitude 5400 required a GRUB workaround to boot the installer, and even then hardware instability persisted. This experience highlights the friction Windows 10 users may face when migrating to Linux on unsupported hardware, emphasizing the need for thorough testing and contingency plans.
You’ll Soon Be Able to Mark Up Protected PDFs in OneDrive for iOS and Android
In August 2026, Microsoft will enable annotation of sensitivity-labeled PDFs directly within the OneDrive iOS and Android apps, preserving encryption. This long-awaited feature closes a critical mobile productivity gap for enterprise users who can now highlight, comment, and ink on protected documents without compromising security. IT admins should prepare by auditing label policies and updating user training.
Minecraft Education's Learning Cubed Update Brings Cross-Tenant Multiplayer This July
Microsoft is set to preview cross-tenant multiplayer for Minecraft Education in July 2026 through the Learning Cubed Update, allowing students from different schools to play together on dedicated servers. The feature, listed on the Microsoft 365 Roadmap, addresses a long-standing limitation and opens new possibilities for collaborative learning across districts. Educators and IT admins are advised to prepare infrastructure and monitor the roadmap for further details.
Why the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop Is Our Top Pick for Most Windows Users — and the RAM Mistake to Avoid
Extensive testing of Microsoft's latest Surface lineup reveals the 13.8-inch Surface Laptop with Snapdragon X Elite is the best all-around Windows laptop for most users, offering superior lapability, battery life, and performance compared to the Surface Pro 11 and 15-inch Laptop. However, buyers must avoid the 8GB base model, which struggles under even moderate multitasking loads. The article provides a detailed buying guide, configuration advice, and context on Microsoft's Arm transition, helping readers choose the right model and RAM tier for their needs.
PCSX2 2.6.0 Slashes Setup Time to 15 Minutes — But BIOS Remains the Gatekeeper
A new guide for PCSX2 2.6.0 claims a full setup in 15 minutes if you have a PS2 BIOS, though acquiring it legally can take longer. The emulator's streamlined interface and performance gains make PS2 gaming on Windows and Steam Deck easier than ever, but the BIOS hurdle remains.
Xbox Reset: Microsoft Cuts 3,200 Jobs and Sells Studios to Streamline Gaming Unit
Microsoft is cutting 3,200 jobs in its Xbox gaming division and selling off internal studios, as revealed on the July 8 Windows Weekly podcast. The restructuring aims to streamline operations and refocus on core gaming services like Game Pass, with significant implications for gamers, developers, and the broader industry.
DuckDuckGo’s Built-In Ad Blocker Now Silences YouTube Pre-Rolls By Default on Windows
DuckDuckGo has quietly enabled built-in YouTube ad blocking inside its Windows browser, stopping pre-roll and mid-roll ads automatically without extensions. The feature is on by default in the latest update, giving users a frictionless way to skip commercials while maintaining strong privacy protections. This move escalates the ongoing battle between ad-supported platforms and browser makers who prioritize user experience.
Minecraft-Style 3D Blocks and Nether Come to Windows via Game Boy Color Homebrew
A new Game Boy Color homebrew demo by Game of Tobi brings a Minecraft-style 3D block world, complete with a Nether dimension, to the aging handheld. Windows users can run the free ROM via emulators like BGB with minimal setup, and the open-source code invites further community development.
Genshin Impact 7.0 Flags Mali and UNISOC GPUs—What the Android Warning Means for PC Players
HoYoverse's compatibility advisory for Genshin Impact 7.0 warns that Mali GPU and UNISOC chipset-powered Android devices may face performance issues or incompatibility with the upcoming update. The notice explicitly excludes other platforms, meaning PC, PlayStation, and Xbox players are unaffected. This article breaks down the advisory, explains the technical reasons behind the warning, and provides practical steps for Android and PC users to prepare for version 7.0.
Prepare for Heavier Windows 11 Security Updates as AI Finds More Flaws, Microsoft Says
Microsoft says Windows 11 security updates will become larger as AI-driven vulnerability discovery surfaces more flaws. IT admins need to prepare for heavier Patch Tuesday payloads by adjusting test rings, maintenance windows, and deployment strategies to handle the increased volume of fixes without disrupting operations.
Logitech G920 Racing Wheel Not Working on Windows? The Four-Layer Diagnostic That Gets You Back on Track
The Logitech G920 racing wheel often stops working after Windows or G HUB updates due to failures at four predictable layers: power, USB, software, and game calibration. A systematic diagnostic—checking the power adapter, bypassing hubs, repairing G HUB, and calibrating via joy.cpl—resolves most cases. Users can prevent recurrences by disabling USB selective suspend and keeping firmware current.